NHPCO NewsLine Winter 2015 - (Page 5)

Message From Don Another year is coming to a close and I am proud of the dedicated work I have seen in so many programs caring so well for patients and families. The commitment to quality and the compassion by which we deliver care are hallmarks of hospice - those have not changed over the years. However, there is a change that goes into place at the beginning of 2016. The new two-tiered payment methodology that was unveiled as part of the FY2016 Hospice Wage Index Final Rule goes into effect on January 1, 2016 for patient service date January 1, 2016 and going forward. Notable points that I've been emphasizing throughout recent weeks include: * The hospice two-tiered routine home care rate (RHC) is based on a beneficiary's length of stay, with a higher rate for the first 60 days of care and a lower rate starting on day 61 through the patient's death or discharge. * A service intensity add-on (SIA) payment has been created for services provided by an RN or social worker in the last seven days of a hospice patient's life. NHPCO has shared information with you to help you prepare and I want to remind you of the resources available in the Regulatory section of the NHPCO website that will help you adjust to this new methodology. As the year comes to a close, I would like to thank each one of you who has done so much to support NHPCO throughout this busy year. You are a valued part of this organization and through your support and involvement you are an integral part of our nation's diverse hospice and palliative care community. To those who have already returned your membership renewal for 2016, a special thank you! On behalf of the NHPCO board, our staff and our affiliate organizations, I wish you a peaceful holiday season and a happy New Year! J. Donald Schumacher, PsyD President/CEO Winter 2015 | NHPCO NewsLine 5 http://www.nhpco.org/regulatory-billing-and-reimbursement/hospice-payment-reform

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of NHPCO NewsLine Winter 2015

Issue Table of Contents
Management and Leadership Conference 2016 (display ad)
A Message From Don
Hospice Care in America: A Look at the Past Six Years
Hospice State Profiles (display ad)
ACHC Accreditation in your Field (display ad)
Simione Healthy Business Solutions (display ad)
Hospice Medical Director Certification
NHPCO Marketplace (display ad)
Helping You with Your Professional Development
Consolo Software for Hospice (display ad)
NHPCO 2016 Webinars (display ad)
We Honor Veterans 5th Anniversary
NHPCO Leadership through Comment Letters
Learning Collaborative to Relieve Caregiver Fatigue
ICU Toolkit form AHA
Volunteers Honored at CTC
Notes from NHPCO
2015 Creative Arts Contest
Member News
Life & Death Matters CE for Nursing Assistants (display ad)
Thanks to CTC 2015 Supporters
News From National Hospice Foundation
More from Moments of Life
Moments of Life T-shirt (display ad)
News From Global Partners in Care
Pay It Forward, GPIC (display ad)
NHPCO Career Center (display ad)
Links to Helpful Resources

NHPCO NewsLine Winter 2015